Variation in Pharmacognostic Characters and Polyphenolic Contents among Four Species of Medicinal Plants from the Genus Spermacoce (Rubiaceae).

Spermacoce hispida L. is one of the important medicinal plants used in traditional systems of medicine. It is observed that, several times it is difficult to differentiate the plant from the other allied species from the same genus, Spermacoce, especially, when they are in drug form. Therefore, the present study aims to document the differences in the pharmacognostic characters, preliminary phytochemical analysis and polyphenolic contents from the leaves of four species belonging to the genus Spermacoce, viz. S. hispida L., S. mauritiana O. Gideon, S. stricta L. and S. ocymoides Burm. Transverse section passing through the midrib with lamina on either sides, epidermal characters, leaf constants, organoleptic characters, physicochemical analysis, extractive values and preliminary phytochemical analysis were carried out for all these species. Total phenolic content by Folin-Ciocalteu method and total flavonoids by AlCl3 method were also estimated from the leaves of all these species. The results indicated that S. hispida can be clearly differentiated from the other selected species on the basis of size and number of epidermal cells, size of trichomes, leaf constants, physicochemical analysis and extractive values. However, it is also found that S. hispida possess total phenolic content at 6.88±0.34 mg CAE/g and 9.17±0.46 mg TAE/g. Total flavonoids was at 5.98±0.30 mg QE/g. The study will provide information with respect to identification and differentiation amongst selected species of genus Spermacoce.

Spasmolytic effect of traditional herbal formulation on guinea pig ileum.

BACKGROUND: The herbal formulation consisting of Andrographis paniculata Nees., Cassia fistula L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Cuminum cyminum L. is widely used by the local traditional practitioners in rural Northern Karnataka for spasmodic abdominal pain. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate safety and spasmolytic effect of poly-herbal formulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute toxicity studies were carried out in Swiss mice, as per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The spasmolytic activity of the formulation was studied in isolated guinea pig ileum model using histamine and acetylcholine as agonists. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Dunnetts post-hoc test and P ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The formulation did not show any adverse toxic effects and found to be safe. It also showed significant (P < 0.05) relaxation in different agonist like histamine and acetylcholine-induced contractions in guinea pig ileum. CONCLUSION: Antispasmodic activity of the herbal formulation can be attributed to its atropine-like activity. The present findings, therefore, support its utility in spasmodic abdominal pain.

Activity of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. root and Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb. bark pastes in acute and chronic paw inflammation in Wistar rat.

BACKGROUND: The pastes prepared from roots of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. and barks of Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb. are widely used by traditional healers for the treatment of arthritis in rural northern Karnataka. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to scientifically evaluate the safety and efficacy of traditionally used formulations in experimental animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study, approved by IAEC was carried out in male Wistar rats and dermal toxicity in rabbits. Carrageenan model was used to assess effect on acute inflammation. Paw volume were measured at 1, 2, 4, and 6(th) hour postchallenge. Chronic inflammation was developed by using Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). Paw volume, ankle joint circumference, and body weight were assessed on 1(st), 4(th), 8(th), 14(th), 17(th), and 21(st) day. Paste was applied once every day to the inflamed area of the paw of respective groups of animals, continuously for 14 days. STATISTICS: The data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's post hoc test. P ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The formulations did not show any dermal toxicity and found to be safe. Both the pastes significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed, carrageenan-induced paw edema at 6(th) hour and Holoptelea integrifolia appears to be more effective than Plumbago zeylanica. Significant reduction was observed in paw volume, ankle joint circumference and animal body weight gained. CONCLUSIONS: The tested formulations (P. zeylanica root and H. integrifolia bark pastes) showed significant antiinflammatory activity. The present findings therefore support its utility in arthritic pain, inflammation and the claim of traditional practitioners.

Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Properties from Aerial Parts of Achyranthes coynei Sant.

Aim of the study was to evaluate antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Achyranthes coynei; an endemic plant used in treatment of several diseases in the same lines that of Achyranthes aspera by traditional practitioners of Belgaum region. Efficiency of extraction methods was studied for aerial parts (leaves, stem, and inflorescence) extracted in methanol using continuous shaking, microwave assisted and ultra sonic extraction technique, by exposing it for different time period. Total phenolic content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. Extracts of A. coynei revealed highest yield of total phenolic content in continuous shaking method compared to other methods. Significantly higher amount of phenolic content (467.07±23.35 tannic acid equivalent and 360.83±18.04 caffic acid equivalent mg/100 g FW) was estimated at 360 min of continuous shaking extraction. In 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, inflorescence and leaf showed highest potential activity, respectively. Stem extracts showed lower yield of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Results also showed 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging assay had significant correlation with total phenolic content. This is first report of total phenolic content and antioxidant studies in A. coynei.

Antiulcer activity of water soaked Glycine max L. grains in aspirin induced model of gastric ulcer in Wistar rats.

INTRODUCTION: Glycine max L. with Drakshasava, widely used by traditional healers as a formulation for the treatment of peptic ulcer in rural northern Karnataka in India, appears to be effective as assessed by patients and in our previously published research work of traditionally used formulation. AIM: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the overnight water soaked G. max grains. This is one of the components of traditional formulation. The study, approved by Institutional Animal Ethics Committee was carried out in male Wistar rats after assessing its toxicity in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups of rats (n = 6 in each group) were treated with aspirin 200 mg/kg oral. In addition to aspirin control group received normal saline, standard group received 20 mg/kg omeprazole and 3(rd) and 4(th) group received G. max 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. All treatments were administered orally every 24 h for 7 days. After 24 hours fasting, on the 8(th) day stomach contents were aspirated under anesthesia to estimate free and total acidity. Stomachs were opened along the greater curvature to calculate ulcer index and subjected to histopathology studies. STATISTICS: The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed-by Dunnett's post hoc test. P ≤0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The severity of aspirin induced ulceration was found significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in test groups compared with the control group. Free and total acidity was significantly reduced in 500 mg/kg treated group, compared with the control group and was inferior to omeprazole treated group. CONCLUSION: The grain of G. max was found to be effective against aspirin induced ulcers.

A rare case of antepartum posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are well-known causative factors of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). There are only a few reported cases of antepartum PRES. We report a 25-year-old primigravid woman who presented with eight months of amenorrhoea and an abrupt onset of eclampsia associated with a history of a fall. A computed tomography scan ruled out intracranial haemorrhage and PRES was diagnosed. She responded well to supportive care, labour was induced and maternal and neonatal outcomes were good. Antepartum PRES poses different challenges to those of PRES in non-obstetric or postpartum patients, because of the additional management aspects required to ensure foetal wellbeing. We were posed with a difficult decision about the disadvantages of caesarean section versus those of vaginal delivery in our patient.

Haemodynamic and Bispectral index response to insertion of the Streamlined Liner of the Pharynx Airway (SLIPA): comparison with the laryngeal mask airway.

The newly developed supralaryngeal airway Streamlined Liner of the Pharynx Airway (SLIPA) has been compared successfully to the LMA, but the haemodynamic response to its insertion has not been evaluated in a randomised study. We compared haemodynamic and Bispectral index (BIS) responses to insertion of the SLIPA with classic LMA after standardising the anaesthetic technique using BIS to monitor and control the anaesthetic depth. One hundred patients were randomised to receive either a classic LMA or SLIPA following induction with fentanyl and propofol titrated to a target BIS of 40 and compared heart rate, mean arterial pressure and BIS responses to insertion. There was a significant rise in mean arterial pressure from the pre-stimulus value (73.8 [10.6] mmHg, mean +/- SD) at two and three minutes (P<0.05) following insertion of the LMA with maximum rise (80.8 [11.5] mmHg) seen at two minutes. There was a significant rise in mean arterial pressure from the pre-stimulus value (73.2 [12.6] mmHg) at one, two, three, four and five minutes (P<0.05) following insertion of the SLIPA with maximum rise (86.9 [15.1] mmHg) observed at three minutes. Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher (P<0.05) with SLIPA at two, three, four and five minutes. BIS increased significantly (P<0.05) at one, two, three, four and five minutes following insertion of both the devices, but there was no significant difference between the groups. There was a significantly higher (P=0.001) incidence of blood on the device with the SLIPA (20/50 vs. 6/50 with LMA). Thus, insertion of SLIPA causes significantly higher blood-pressure response but similar BIS response compared to the LMA.

Herbal care for reproductive health: ethno medicobotany from Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, India.

Traditional herbal medicine is predominantly practiced by the rural people of India, especially remote areas such as the Uttara Kannada District in Western Ghats of Karnataka. Local traditional healers play an important role in the management of reproductive health problems of the native population due to socio-economical and geographical factors. In the present study, 92 traditional medicine practitioners/healers from various regions of Uttara Kannada district were interviewed to collect information on the use of herbal treatments for a range of female and male reproductive disorders. Information was also collected on the method of preparation, dose and duration along with the botanical names, family and local names of the medicinal plants. The plants were then collected and identified. A total of 18 formulations from 25 plant species belonging to 17 families were identified, which are commonly used to treat 12 different reproductive ailments. This study identifies herbal remedies not previously documented, that are used by indigenous people in the treatment of reproductive disorders. Additionally, the paper highlights the need to retain and explore the rich biodiversity associated with Indian rain forests that may result in the discovery of new medical treatments. Finally, this paper notes the continuing reliance on herbal medicines and healing traditions by local people in remote areas. Understanding and working with local healers and tribes provides a unique opportunity to learn about the use of potentially new herbal and plant medications.